The Phantom is very arguably a masterpiece. It's one of few movies to actually have camp and use it well. Most films that try this fall flat on their faces and wind up on my top 20 worst films of all time, the Phantom however makes it in my top 75 films of all time. My reasons are this, First, great performances. Billy Zane is the ultimate square jawed hero. Joel Shumacher tried to make Batman this, and we saw the result. Why does it work with the Phantom and not Batman? Batman is a man who dresses darkly, the Phantom wears purple. You don't really get any mixed messages. Treat Williams delivers the best performance of the film as the best tongue in cheek villain I can ever remember. He also makes Drax interesting by adding a little psychopathic tendencies along with his quips. The story itself has all the energy of an Indiana Jones film. Not surprising since it was written by the man who wrote Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. In fact, you could pretty much replace the Phantom with Jones. Another thing worth commenting on is the sets. Whether it's the jungle, the city or a pirates cave the Phantoms sets and scenery are always breathtaking. Rent it, but keep in mind, since the whole film is a mixing of genre's, it's all a matter of taste.
Review of The Phantom
